Right-wing Fox still has Cameron on the run

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The Defence Secretary’s role as leader of the Tory traditionalists will protect his position – for the moment

A week ago I had a discussion about the future of various Cabinet ministers with a senior adviser at No 10. Ken Clarke, the aide said, would almost certainly leave the Cabinet at the next reshuffle. The Downing Street line is that the Justice Secretary told the Prime Minister when he joined the Government that he would serve only for two years — and is now keen to spend more time with his birdwatching.

This is, in fact, strongly disputed by Mr Clarke’s people who insist that he has plenty to keep him busy reforming the criminal justice system until the